The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-01-28

tuu weight OF his disagreeability press
upon you, you said exactly what should
have said, had been the first to explain"
"That is strange-a coincidence. But
but why marry him, If you feel so 70
Mr.. Boyleyr
Captain, an IL please you, madame.
He is one of her majesty's men. am
not so sure that shall marry him. Bus
l have been presseS into the matter be-
cause Of aunties desire to see me Mrs.
Boyle there is remote title somewhere
in the family, that she believes will some
day descend upon me, and make me my
ladyo So l am supposed 10 be willing
to barter my present for the sake of my
future. But am noti So therer' She
somewhat angrily rattles the poker
against the bars of the CRATE as she
speaks. Then she looks up sharply at
her companion. "Why are you marrying
Mr.. - You did not mention his name,
by the by"
paul Annerley."
"A masterful name--nearly as bad ~
Grant Boyle-that sounds like the resist
less rock as the wave beats hopelessly
against it," She pauses as though sunk
in a light reverie, ~ am not hopeless
wave, however" " she continues presently,
her pause being so slight as to be almost
imperceptible. "A rock myself, rather.
Yet look so frail-so fragiler' She gets
up and turns to a mirror, and pushing
back the soft silky hair from her low
brow examines her face critically. eyes
a rockl' she says decisively. $50, IL
my dear cousin does not improve on ac-
quaintance, l warn him / shall not be
dragged to the altar to suit his whim.
I'd cut off my hair first 1t was by the
hair the medi@val parent dragged his
child, ehF' she asks, turning to Nadine
with sudden smile.
~ believe you like your cousin, under
it all, " says Nadine, laughing.
well, do, and don't, as have al
ready said. Just now, / don't. But
there are few men in town so handsome,
So much l know, though have not as
yet come out"
Describe him to me.''
He is tall, dark, earne It in expression.
That is disappointing, / know; the mod
ern villain being always tall, fair, insou.
Giant. But--variety is charming. MY
villain is as have said."
paul is dark too," says Nadine, arch
ing her brows.
Hal So! The plot thickensl Two
villains in one drama is extravagant.
| wish, however, Paul had been of the
fair, die away order, If only to make a
diversion. Nadine, tell me, why are you
6OihS W Ahuliy gOuI tu Nlllaln!
He isn't villain" begins Nadine;
but Millicent interrupts her.
"Oh, yes, he Isl" she says. "You take
my word for it. Well 60 on"
II am marrying him because-because
think do like him, and that my absurd
repulsion when absent from him Is a
mean feeling only to be conquered to dis
appear forever. And-and mamma will
he happy if l marry him. She is SO
afraid that may ever come to real want"
He is rich, then? A man of propertyr'
mo. He has clerkship somewhere
in the CITY,"
Somewhere Vague I call thatI Well,
my good child, I'd see about that clerk
ship, If were you, before putting my
foot in it,
"Well-as matter of course,n says
Nadine. Then she breaks into merry
laugh. Naturally should see it before
putting my foot in it. But you need not
be uneasy about that. Mother has made
all inquiries, and he has entirely satisfied
her."
After all, my warning was absurd.
People nowadays don't go about mas
querading, says Millicent Tell me
more of him."
'There is SO little to tell. His eyes are
very dark brown"
$50 are Grants. hate very dark
brown eyes"
'His mustache is brown too'
$50 is Grants. l like mustache
myself"
"And like man with no mustache,n ~
says Nadine softly.
"You don't say" cries her friend,
with affected interest. "Tell me who he
is"
Her shaft is a random one, not meant
to strike home, yet Nadine shrinks from
1t as if hurt, and her cheeks grow deadly
white. She clasps her hands together
with little impulsive motion upon
her lap-clasps them SO closely that her
nails grow white.
Millicent, who though frivolous in a
certain sense, is neither unobservant nor
wanting in affection, marks these signs
OF emotion, but with u strange reticence
for her, refrains from taking any notice OF
them.
"a truce to lovsrs" she cries gayly.
II, for my part, am sick and tired Of
them. Here is q second piece of news /
would lmpart to you. Uncle Timothy
you know my Uncle Timothy?-well,
dear old man! he is going to give me, on
the occasion of my first appearance, the
most exquisite set Of diamonds and sap
phires that are, hear, in the United
Kindgom. l am to be his heiress as well
as auntie's, you know; and these Jewels
are to be worn by Neon my coronation,
/ was going to say-but l suppose
meant on my presentation. They tell
me her most gracious will pale with
envy at the sight of them. Going now,
NadineS Nonsensel You must have
your tea first. I'll have it served here,
and it will keep you warm all the way
home. Poor little cat! You look tired
Have glass of sherry instead-it will be
much better for you.'
fro BIZ CONTINUED IN OUR NaxT.1